Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Love Does Review

Love Does by Bob Goff is a New York Times best selling story book that kept me coming back for extra helpings. I don’t think a day went by from the time I picked it up that I didn’t read one or more of it’s brief 3-10 page chapters during a really busy week. I bought it for Deanne’s 26th birthday and we both finished it before her gifts stopped coming in...if they’ve stopped coming in. Filled with everything from blunders that actually made me laugh out loud (a rare occasion when I’m reading) and capers inspiring a great desire to go all out in a Jesus style love re-imagined and refreshed, I highly, strongly recommend it. I think God used this book to truly lift the mood in our home. In multiple situations I wondered out loud to Deanne, “What would Bob Goff do?” I see a lot of Christ in this whimsical man. My heart is drawn out and compelled to do because I want to, to dream rather than sleep and to hope in what God is doing in the lives of His children, even in my own life.

I’ve started to respond to this grace with a face book by pondering the question Bob asks in the epilogue. He writes, “[i]f you’re like me, I’d ask myself at the end of a book called Love Does-so what do I do?” I’ve started dreaming again. I’m encouraged to dream dreams beyond what seems possible, to pray and ask what the next step is. I believe the, “out there” is in reach because God has the whole world in His hands. It’s going to require putting one foot in front of the other and pressing on towards the mark of the high calling of Christ. It’s also going to have to involve friends I meet along the way and wonderfully revolve around Jesus.

One thing that really got my attention in the book was the story of his kids requesting meetings with world leaders after 9/11 at Bob’s encouragement. They had no agenda but to make friends with them because they believed that if they could all just talk and share their hopes together there would be a much better level of understanding among them. They were invited and ushered into the presence of the rich and the powerful and gave the gift of friendship to them as well as a key to their home in Cali to let the leaders know they are welcome to visit them at their house in the U.S. Apparently one actually accepted the invitation.

I’m not sure what exactly people are hoping for when it comes to the marches for justice and what not, but I bet if all the upset people put their efforts into making friends instead of pointing fingers, this nation would actually be changed. I think Bob’s family was onto something when they offered friendship instead of arguments and solutions. That’s how bridges are built. The two sides have to want to be connected through a love that does.

-Nick

P.S. If you want to buy the book you can get more info here: http://bobgoff.com/lovedoes/. All the proceeds of the book are given to help people in Uganda through Restoration International. Very Cool.

2 comments:

I got this book for my birthday too, and I love it!! I read a chapter about him waiting on the bench in front of the dean's office to get into law school at the camp out to Angel :) It's such a great and inspiring read.